TIFFANY PRESENTATION STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD TO MAJ. JOHN F. ROBINSON 3RD MISSISSIPPI INFANTRY OF AFRICAN DESCENT.
inv # 02-13751

This beautiful sword has a large presentation engraved on the silver scabbard body between top mounts surrounded by panoply of American flags “PRESENTED TO MAJ. JNO. F. ROBINSON / BY THE OFFICERS OF THE 3d REGT MISS. INFY / AD / AS A TESTIMONIAL OF THEIR ESTEEM FOR HIM AS AN / OFFICER & GENTLEMAN”. The “AD” in presentation is abbreviation for “AFRICAN DESCENT”. John F. Robinson (1841-1877) enlisted along with two of his brothers in the 42nd Ohio Infantry whose Col. would be later General and President John Garfield. Robinson enlisted as a 21-year-old Sgt. but soon had several promotions, he mustered out to accept a commission in the 3rd Mississippi Infantry of African Descent. Robinson was wounded by concussion of an exploding artillery shell May 19, 1863 at Vicksburg and suffered for his remaining time in the War. Robinson saw service w/ the 3rd Mississippi of African Descent in the Vicksburg district of war where one of the very few Civil War monuments honoring black Union soldiers is found. Robinson ended his service as Lt. Col. in the 53rd USCT (US Colored Troops) August 22nd 1864 due to lingering ill health. After the war John left for the west engaging in fur trading and ending up as a hotelier in Pembina, Dakota Territory, finally ending up in Blue Earth County Minnesota where he farmed. He died at 36 years old May 22nd, 1877 and is buried in Mankato, Minnesota.

This high grade pattern Tiffany sword is often seen presented to Civil War Generals. This was an expensive sword in its day w/ all the gold and silver work. Sword features large lion headed quillon, Roman suit of armor pommel and spiral cut sheet silver grip with silver wire wrap. Silver scabbard has fine relief engraved mounts and engraved patriotic panels. Reverse of scabbard above throat has applied Tiffany and Company’s maker’s mark with script “M” denoting silver. The 32″ blade is finely engraved with gold background to 16″ patriotic etched panels, “TIFFANY & CO / NEW YORK” etched on one ricasso and blade makers mark stamped below “COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN / 1862”. Hilt has round central device with superimposed “US” with applied panoply of arms toward knucklebow. This is the highest grade presentation sword to a non general officer of a black Civil War regiment we are aware of.